The second in the series of storm systems dumped heavy snow two days after storm #1. This system was characterized by very strong lift in a deformation zone northeast of the center of upper level low pressure.
Every event with a place to put it; 3 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS MAF wrote it up.
The second in the series of storm systems dumped heavy snow two days after storm #1. This system was characterized by very strong lift in a deformation zone northeast of the center of upper level low pressure. The actual passage of the upper low was relatively quiet with only some flurries in the mountains as the lift stayed ahead of the upper low to the northeast.Heaviest snows were in Eddy County with Hope again leading the way with 10 inches and Lakewood with 8 inches. Four to six inches of snow were common around much of the county. U.S. Highway 285 north of Artesia and U.S. Highway 82 west of Artesia were closed. Power was knocked out over much of northern Eddy County with the heavy, wet snow bringing down power lines in some instances.Having people isolated without power plus little means to assist these people with county resources, Governor Gary Johnson declared a State of Emergency in Eddy County and other counties north and west. This declaration allowed State of New Mexico assistance in the form of personnel and equipment as well as to coordinate of their implementation. Northern Lea County was again hit harder than the southern end of the county with 4 inches reported at Tatum.
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
3 heavy snow. Local standard time, as filed.
The Heavy and wet snow took down power lines and knocked out power in and around Artesia. Some customers were without power for two days.
Motorists were stranded in their vehicles near Queen in the Lincoln National Forest along Highway 137 and were rescued by the Sheriffs Deputies.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in New Mexico in 1997Every state in 1997This day in weather historyWarnings in New Mexico, December 1997
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-30. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5626228, 5626229, 5626230.